Elites Ready To Square Off In The Big Apple

London Marathon champ Emmanuel Mutai (left) will square off against his namesake and reigning Boston Marathon champ Geoffrey Mutai (right) on Sunday. Photo: Duncan Larkin

Emmanuel Mutai, reigning London Marathon champion who finished second here last year, is hoping to win his second major marathon of 2011 on Sunday. Photo: Mario Fraioli

Meb Keflezighi, who won here in 2009, says he's "feeling strong" heading into Sunday's race. Photo: Mario Fraioli

Isabellah Andersson, a native Kenyan who is now a Swiss citizen, is excited for her New York City Marathon debut on Sunday. Most recently, she finished 7th at the world championships in Daegu. Photo: Mario Fraioli

Defending champion Gebre Gebremariam is hoping to prove his victory here last year was no fluke. Photo: Mario Fraioli

Geoffrey Mutai, the fastest marathoner of all-time with his 2:03:02 clocking at Boston this year, will be looking to make his New York City Marathon debut a memorable one on Sunday. Photo: Mario Fraioli

Ethiopian Tsegaye Kebede, who has twice run 2:05 for the marathon, is a but of a darkhorse with all the attention focusing on both Mutais and defending champion Gebre Gebremariam. Photo: Mario Fraioli

Jaouad Gharib of Morocco is a marathon veteran with a 2:05:27 personal best. Photo: Mario Fraioli

The New York Road Runners are dedicating this year's race to the late, great Grete Waitz. Photo: Mario Fraioli

Race signs are up all around the city. Photo: Mario Fraioli